Mr. Pagsi is 90!

June 28, 2017

By:

Cynthia D. Nuval

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Mr. Pagsanghan, or Pagsi as he is fondly called, celebrated his 90th birthday on June 12, 2017 at the Tanghalang Onofre Pagsanghan at Ateneo High School.

Mrs. Sylvia P. Aldana (Mr. Pagsi’s daughter), the residents and alumni Sibolistas, as well as their parents, joined forces to make this day a simple yet meaningful one for a mentor who has been a wonderful male role model.

The thanksgiving mass was celebrated by Ateneo President Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ, who shared with the congregation of about 150 attendees that he, Fr. Jett, learned to love the beauty of the mass through Mr. Pagsi, who was his teacher in the honors section, 1-A, during his freshman year at Ateneo de Manila High School.

The mass was followed by a simple merienda of pancit, lumpiang shanghai, and barbecue, to which others added doughnuts, an assortment of pastries, and sorbetes.

The well-wishers regrouped in the theater. There, Mr. Pagsi allowed a few questions from the well-wishers, the first of which was if he had any regrets. He said he had always wanted to teach in public high schools because that is where good educators are needed the most. He was asked how he knew Mrs. Pagsi was “the one” and that gave an opportunity to him to share some stories of his love life with Mrs. Pagsi, to the delight of the attendees.

Thereafter, a testimonial followed where 10 pre-selected individuals whom Mr. Pagsi inspired in the past years shared their thoughts about him. The last speaker, Atty. Bong Alikpala, mentioned that they were compiling Mr. Pagsi’s works in a book called “Alalahanin,” which is slated for release sometime this year.

Mr. Pagsi said he was grateful for life, for this day, and for the moments shared with him.